Shielding letters 'still being delivered' to Moray's vulnerable
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NHS Grampian has said letters for people required to shield due to coronavirus are being delivered – and will continue to arrive – across Moray this week.
The measure is to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coming into contact with the virus by supporting them to self-isolate and minimise interaction with others.
People on the list will be entitled to free grocery packs, priority supermarket delivery slots and priority prescription deliveries.
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross sought an update from NHS Grampian on the issue after being contacted by worried constituents.
Mr Ross said: "I contacted NHS Grampian after many concerned constituents got in touch with me as they expected to receive these letters due to pre-existing health conditions – but none had arrived.
"This was despite the fact that assurances had been given in TV interviews and these people are currently self-isolating at home and finding it difficult to access support and vital food supplies.
"This includes getting access to online delivery slots from supermarkets and being included on community lists for food or other deliveries. In many cases they require to be listed as forming part of the group advised to shield during this crisis and these letters will enable them to get the support they need, but I had hoped they would all have been received by now.
"The response from NHS Grampian helps as it explains that not all of the letters have been delivered yet, but we need to know when they have all been received so people are aware if they are on this list or not.
"There is a lot of stress and anxiety out there at present with people just unsure if they should be shielding or not, and unable to access support if they are staying at home not even going out to shop."
He added: "I hope the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland get the remainder of these letters out as soon as possible so people in Moray who are being told to shield can benefit from priority places for supermarket delivery or for food delivery via the government.
"This situation is not easy for anyone, but we must protect the vulnerable and those suffering as much as possible and minimise the spread of COVID-19 to those who could be most at risk."
Click here for more information on shielding.
